The speculation is being fueled by the Australian media.

Johnson is expected to arrive in the country this week to meet players and coaches who’ll be attending the elite player camp in San Diego. He’s also planning to look for accommodation in Boulder, CO, while he’s here.

“He’s not behaving like a man that’s going anywhere else, but I have to admit that New South Wales has offered him a tremendous amount of money to stay in Australia,” Melville told ARN.

“As he said to me the other week, he’s morally committed to come here, and he’s coming and he’s looking forward to it.”

Johnson turned down a lucrative deal to coach in Wales in order to sign on to lead the US Eagle program for the next four years.

“It’s about the opportunity. He was offered a huge amount of money to go to Cardiff and he turned that down,” added Melville. “We talked at length, we’ve known each other for quite a long time and I know Scott and I know what Scott wants out of this particular thing.

“He wants to develop, he wants to make a difference, he wants to help and make a difference in the game. New South Wales aren’t offering him anything he hasn’t already had. He likes the international game, he wants to coach in World Cups.

“He doesn’t want to be doing just the same old circuit with the same old team, maybe in later years, but at the moment he’s being very committed and wants to stay with us.”

To hear the interview with Nigel Melville in its entirety, tune in to Rugbytalk #39 by clicking on the Podcasts tab at the top of the page.